Research from Turkey suggests acupressure improves aerobic performance in healthy young men, by 10%. Forty subjects were randomly allocated to receive either three minute acupressure at three acupuncture points, or a placebo acupressure session. Both groups were subjected to a six minute step test both before and after the intervention, and VO2 max measured. In the true acupressure group, this figure had increased significantly from baseline, whereas in the placebo group it remained unchanged.
The team suggest that acupressure decreased participants’ anxiety levels, allowing better utilisation of available energy sources.
(Effect of Meridian Acupressure on Aerobic Performance of Healthy Young Population: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 20 February 2018.)